Future Thinking: Securing Food for the Future

*|MC_PREVIEW_TEXT|*

Securing Food for the Future Food security is when all people are able to access enough safe and nutritious food to meet their requirements for a healthy life, in ways the planet can sustain into the future. In recent years, global acute food insecurity has reached alarming levels due to factors such as conflict, climate shocks, and the impact of COVID-19. This has exacerbated the global hunger crisis, pushing millions into extreme poverty. Almost 800 million people face hunger on a daily basis and more than two billion people lack vital micronutrients, affecting their health and life expectancy. Nearly half of all deaths in children under 5 are attributable to undernutrition. Climate change will only make things worse as elevated levels of CO2 reduce the nutritional content of grains, tubers and legumes. A growing population also means more mouths to feed and with the expanding global population getting wealthier, there will be more pressure on resource intensive produce, particularly meat and dairy. It has been estimated that by 2050 we'll need to feed two billion more people. However, there is by good approximation no new land for agriculture, with increasing competition from urbanisation, sea level rise reducing land availability, and the growing need for land for bioenergy, carbon capture and storage. A major challenge is understanding how can we re-design the food system to be healthy, sustainable, and more resilient to climate change. It is clear that we will need to use every technology available, alongside best practice farming, to sustainably increase production. This also has to be accompanied by changes to food demand including measures on both consumption and waste. Innovative Solutions Transition to Alternative Proteins Amid a global grain shortage and skyrocketing food prices, one-third of the global grain supply is used for animal feed. Alternative proteins support global food security. A transition to alternative proteins could reduce staple crop prices, halt deforestation, expand access to dietary protein, and make the global food system more resilient to supply chain disruptions and climate change. Safe, sustainable, solutions for animal feed & livestock The need for integrated solutions that enable animals, people, and the planet to flourish has never been greater. Given the threats of climate change and disease resistance to antibiotics, these solutions are needed urgently and at scale. Livestock farmers and feed manufacturers are looking for sustainable alternatives to improve the health of animals within the context of ever greater environmental challenges and the government regulations introduced to meet them. Increasingly, consumers want to know the story of the food they are eating and make informed decisions about it. Sustainable Aquaculture   Aquaculture has emerged as the most sustainable and highly-scalable form of protein production, but it is not without its challenges. Disease, feed waste and increasing production costs are all barriers that are holding aquaculture back from achieving its full potential. Genetic Innovation New practises can develop improved varieties of tropical crops that are easier to cultivate and healthier for people and the planet. Technology is opening up a new way of working. One that connects the dots between production and consumption and gives growers the tools to meet the environmental pressures of today. Case Study - Tropic Biosciences FPC portfolio company Tropic Biosciences is using  cutting edge technologies, including CRISPR gene editing, to increase crop resistance to critical diseases and reduce waste in the supply chain. Tropic are using science to accelerate the development of crop varieties and make them better suited to the growing environment. This allows farmers to produce more food, and have greater flexibility to overcome the increase of crop diseases brought on by climate change. In doing so, we can successfully close the gap between food scarcity and food waste. Tropic are rewriting the system so farmers gain more worth for their work and we have enough food to go round. Watch the video above to learn more! View in browser Find out more about Future Planet Capital by visiting our website. Copyright (C) *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*. All rights reserved. This information is being communicated by Future Planet Capital (Ventures) Limited which is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. This email message and any files transmitted with it are intended solely for the addressee(s) and are considered privileged and confidential. If you have received this email in error, please (i) delete it and all copies of it from your system and (ii) destroy any hard copies of it. You should not divulge, copy, forward, or use the contents, attachments, or information in any way. Any unauthorized use or disclosure may be unlawful. Future Planet Capital gives no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of email messages and accepts no responsibility for changes made after dispatch. Company number; 02500898  Registered in England  C/O Wework, 55 ColmoreRow, Birmingham, England, B3 2AA  The VAT number for Ventures is; 610358472 Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe

Future Thinking: Defence & Security

*|MC_PREVIEW_TEXT|*

UK Innovation Science and Seed Fund is unleashing support for Defence and Security Startups The £102m UK Innovation and Science Seed Fund (UKI2S), independently managed by Future Planet Capital, is unleashing support for Defence and Security Investment into UK-based startups. The £18m pioneering Defence and Security Seed portfolio (D2S), part of UKI2S’s national fund, will focus on cybersecurity, hardware, IoT, robotics, sensors, with a primary emphasis on dual-use technologies that have commercial applications and specific defence or military applications. Since being launched in 2022, D2S has already invested £2m across five Defence & Security start-ups, and is actively looking to deploy the remaining £16m. The fund is positioned to provide much-needed funding to early-stage startups and spinouts. The overarching aim of the fund is not just to provide investment, but to enable these organisations to increase scalability and continue to innovate new ideas that could fundamentally alter the industry’s landscape. While defence and security investment has increased exponentially in recent years, it notably lags behind other industries. This portfolio serves to rectify this imbalance, empowering early-stage organisations in the industry to be able to research, develop and manufacture nationally important defence and security technologies. Previous opportunities provided by UKI2S have been extremely successful, delivering a return of £25 in private sector investment for every £1 invested by UKI2S public partners. The impact that the D2S could have, following this trend, may mean a total return of £450 million, drastically boosting the industry. Whilst the focus of this portfolio is defence, the D2S aims to bridge the gap between the public and private sector, facilitating the innovation of ‘dual-use’ technologies - innovations that serve both commercial, and specific defence and military applications. The fund aims to serve a dual purpose: it seeks to foster growth in key security technologies, while simultaneously boosting the UK’s economy. This bridging of the gap between the public and private sectors underscores the holistic approach being taken to fuel growth and innovation. “The D2S portfolio signifies a pivotal collaboration between private and public sector innovation, empowering our defence and security services with cutting-edge tools while propelling the UK's economic growth and global influence.” - Mark White, Lead for Defence and Security for UKI2S at Future Planet Capital Group The impact of the D2S is already visible, with several companies having received funding already. Silicon Microgravity (SMG), a spinout from the University of Cambridge, recently received £500k D2S funding from UKI2S. The initial investment has acted as a gateway for further financial backing, allowing them to gain access to the Defence Innovation Loan from the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA). “UKI2S have been more than just an investor to us. The team were fundamental in helping to get our Seed funding round away and have continued to provide valuable input and support particularly with links into the defence ecosystem and strategic advice.” - Francis Neill, CEO of SMG Other organisations like Halo’s X-Ray in Nottingham, Honuworx in Aberdeen, and Qdot from Oxford’s Thermofluids Institute have also gained from this crucial fund. The D2S portfolio will persist as a cornerstone in the strategy to bolster national security through innovation. UK-Based businesses who are leveraging their existing science and knowledge base to look into further strategic applications, such as defence and security, will continue to be supported through the fund. This seed fund benefits from the backing of several prestigious public bodies, including the Ministry of Defence, UK Research and Innovation and others. These organisations are not only financial sponsors, but are committed to nurturing UK businesses to expand the UK’s technological capabilities. View in browser Find out more about Future Planet Capital by visiting our website. Copyright (C) *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*. All rights reserved. This information is being communicated by Future Planet Capital (Ventures) Limited which is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. This email message and any files transmitted with it are intended solely for the addressee(s) and are considered privileged and confidential. If you have received this email in error, please (i) delete it and all copies of it from your system and (ii) destroy any hard copies of it. You should not divulge, copy, forward, or use the contents, attachments, or information in any way. Any unauthorized use or disclosure may be unlawful. Future Planet Capital gives no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of email messages and accepts no responsibility for changes made after dispatch. Company number; 02500898  Registered in England  C/O Wework, 55 ColmoreRow, Birmingham, England, B3 2AA  The VAT number for Ventures is; 610358472 Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe

Future Thinking: Supply Chain Security

*|MC_PREVIEW_TEXT|*

Supply Chain Security: Strengthening Global Economies Supply chains, the intricate networks connecting individuals, organisations, resources, and technologies in creating and selling products, play a vital role in our interconnected world. Beyond offering a wide array of goods and services, supply chains pave the way for local economies to engage in global expansion, making them integral to economic growth. The global supply chain is valued at a staggering $15.85 billion, encompassing an extensive array of components and interactions. Governments are taking a closer look at supply chain resilience, recognising it as a matter of national security. This shift might lead to more active involvement in sourcing and trade, potentially leading to new challenges in the import-export landscape. Notably, the cost of supply chain disruption averages $1.5 million daily. With this in mind, supply chain visibility is becoming a strategic concern for industry professionals. The World Economic Forum projects that global supply chain disruptions could wipe out $1.5 trillion in value during 2023. Even nations and businesses prepared for such scenarios face vulnerabilities. The top 5 countries with the most resilient supply chains in 2023 were Germany, Japan, Switzerland, The Netherlands, and South Korea. Whilst these countries have managed to establish resilience, they are not immune to challenges. For instance, Germany faced substantial disruptions during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Japan encountered difficulties during the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. Anticipating the future, supply chain innovation hinges on technology adoption. Technologies like AI, blockchain, IoT, 3D printing, and robotics will shape the landscape. Notably, 50% of businesses have increased their supply chain technology investment in 2023, signalling a growing recognition of its transformative potential. Inevitably, supply chain security presents a pressing challenge ripe for innovation and investment. What are the key challenges? Weaponization of the system: Individuals, corporates and economies can use the supply chain system to their own advantage, weaponizing our global supply networks. This is often done to pursue a more strategic aim. Breakdown due to complexity: Complex systems like supply chains are immensely vulnerable, as small changes can result in large and sustained impacts. Complications like the Ever Given blocking Suez caused long term damage to the system that took months to recover from. Rapid changes in demand: large scale shifts in demand across multiple areas in the supply chain at the same time can mean it is not possible to meet pressing demand. This results in shortages and can lead to collapse of some parts of the network. Why Global Supply Chains May Never Be the Same WSJ Documentary Every day, millions of sailors, truck drivers, longshoremen, warehouse workers and delivery drivers keep mountains of goods moving into stores and homes to meet consumers’ increasing expectations of convenience. But this complex movement of goods underpinning the global economy is far more vulnerable than many imagined. View in browser Find out more about Future Planet Capital by visiting our website. Copyright (C) *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*. All rights reserved. This information is being communicated by Future Planet Capital (Ventures) Limited which is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. This email message and any files transmitted with it are intended solely for the addressee(s) and are considered privileged and confidential. If you have received this email in error, please (i) delete it and all copies of it from your system and (ii) destroy any hard copies of it. You should not divulge, copy, forward, or use the contents, attachments, or information in any way. Any unauthorized use or disclosure may be unlawful. Future Planet Capital gives no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of email messages and accepts no responsibility for changes made after dispatch. Company number; 02500898  Registered in England  C/O Wework, 55 ColmoreRow, Birmingham, England, B3 2AA  The VAT number for Ventures is; 610358472 Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe

Future Thinking: What lessons can we learn from COVID-19?

*|MC_PREVIEW_TEXT|*

June 2023    |    View this email in your browser What lessons can we learn from COVID-19? Welcome to the latest edition of Future Thinking.  Last month Future Planet Capital hosted a dinner and discussion with Professor Adrian Hill, Director of the Jenner Institute in Oxford who helped create the AstraZeneca COVID-19 drug. The event brought together leading voices from academia, industry and the investment world to discuss learnings from the pandemic. Together we also explored what is required to prepare for future pandemics, and the role that funding & research is playing in unleashing innovation. The evening was incredibly inspiring. In a fireside chat, it was fascinating to hear first-hand from Adrian about his role in the development and deployment of the COVID-19 vaccine in 2020, and his thoughts on what we can be doing to mitigate future pandemics. Douglas Hansen-Luke, Executive Chairman of Future Planet Capital, stressed the importance of science and innovation coming together to create a lasting impact. Here’s what he had to say Portfolio Spotlight: Vaccitech In 2020, we became investors in Vaccitech, the biotechnology company spun off from the University of Oxford. At that time, knowledge of the COVID-19 virus was limited, and vaccine trial outcomes were still uncertain. Recognising Vaccitech’s need for additional funding to support its growth, working with our partners at Oxford Science Enterprises, Future Planet Capital played a strategic role in reopening the investment round leading to the issuance of $43 million in convertible notes. Fast forward to today, Vaccitech has gained widespread recognition for its remarkable achievement in developing the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine which has saved over 6 million lives. FPC at HM Treasury Select Committee Our Executive Chairman, Douglas Hansen-Luke, was honoured to be invited to give evidence earlier this month to the UK HM Treasury Select Committee for its investigation into the UK venture capital market. It was a fascinating and wide-ranging discussion on how to support our domestic entrepreneurs as they grow their companies.   Douglas was asked what he would want the British government to do to support funding for entrepreneurs across the UK and through their growth journeys. His response was threefold: Encourage the biggest pension and local government funds to invest in this space Finance skills-based exchange programmes for young innovators Make data available on how our industries and companies rank globally   There is global competition for capital, and making clear what the government is investing in R&D and in the country’s various regions to help a range of start-ups will encourage more investment. We think Britain has the potential to have dozens, if not hundreds, of unicorns. You can listen to the full discussion through the link below. Want to know more? Contact Ed Phillips or Abi Wye at Future Planet Capital.    This monthly digest is brought to you by Future Planet Capital.  Copyright © 2023 FPC, All rights reserved. This information is being communicated by Future Planet Capital (Ventures) Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.This email message and any files transmitted with it are intended solely for the addressee(s) and are considered privileged and confidential. If you have received this email in error please (i) delete it and all copies of it from your system and (ii) destroy any hard copies of it. You should not divulge, copy, forward, or use the contents, attachments, or information in any way. Any unauthorized use or disclosure may be unlawful. Future Planet Capital gives no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of email messages and accepts no responsibility for changes made after dispatch. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Future Thinking: The Nexus of Innovation and Global Health

*|MC_PREVIEW_TEXT|*

May 2023    |    View this email in your browser The Nexus of Innovation and Global Health Welcome to the latest edition of Future Thinking.  At the beginning of this month, The World Health Organization (WHO) declared that Covid-19 no longer represents a "global health emergency". The statement represents a major step towards ending the pandemic and comes three years after it first declared its highest level of alert over the virus. This declaration also provides us with the opportunity to reflect on the past three years. There can be no doubt that the speed of the scientific communities' response to COVID-19 was not only unprecedented but an important glimpse into what could be possible by connecting the world's biggest investors to its brightest minds.  In this edition, we want to explore the post-pandemic boom in this fascinating world of biosecurity and its implications for our future.   Top Trends in Biosecurity    The most significant recent breakthroughs have come through the incorporation of AI and Machine learning into all facets of the clinical process. In genomic analysis, AI has facilitated complete genomic sequencing of patients in a radically reduced time frame. In testing, new technology efficiently and comprehensively interprets data sets to identify diseases. The two combined has produced a boom in personalised medicine; genomic data can be used to identify hereditary diseases an individual is susceptible to, the most effective preventative programme, and tailor treatments directly to their DNA. This is a trend FPC investee companies 23andMe, Congenica, Arctoris and Ikarovec are at the forefront of.    🧬 Pathogen Surveillance and Detection: Advancements in sequencing technology have enabled faster and more precise identification of pathogens, helping to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Researchers, exemplified by the work of Harvard University’s Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases and the Broad Institute, are now able to monitor emerging strains, predict their virulence, and model their potential impact on public health.   Synthetic Biology for Biosecurity: Synthetic biology is a game-changer in the fight against infectious diseases. By engineering microbes with tailored functions, scientists can create novel vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostic tools. FPC’s own investee company, Vaccitech, has pioneered development in this space. As featured in our last Future Thinking edition, it is best known for its development of the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 Vaccine which saved 6.3 million lives in the first year of its roll-out.  🤖 AI and Machine Learning in Genomic Medicine: As our ability to produce genomic data increases exponentially, AI and machine learning are becoming indispensable tools for analysing and interpreting these vast datasets. Deep Genomics and Stanford University are using AI to rapidly identify patterns and relationships within the data. FPC portfolio company Arctoris is also an example of using AI and robotics to accelerate drug discovery and trials. This helps predict the emergence of new diseases, develop new treatments, and guide personalized medicine, leading to more accurate diagnoses, better patient outcomes, and a stronger defence against potential pandemics.  Global Collaborations for a Safer World: The threat of bioterrorism as a component of war looms large and we must recognise the importance of international cooperation in biosecurity. Numerous initiatives have recently emerged to facilitate the sharing of knowledge, resources, and expertise. These collaborations aim to build a global network of researchers, healthcare professionals, and policy makers working together to address emerging biosecurity threats and ensure a more resilient future.  Ethical Considerations in Biosecurity: Pursuing developments in biosecurity, as with many other sectors, is not always straightforward. Many new technologies, such as those that give us greater control over the human genome, raise important ethical questions. Others, such as the capacity to better understand and modify pathogens, pose severe risks. There are no easy answers but addressing these concerns is crucial to ensure that biosecurity innovations are developed and deployed responsibly and equitably.  A report from UNEP and ILRI describes how the novel coronavirus is part of a growing trend of zoonotic diseases that have jumped from animals into the human population. The drivers of this trend – including climate change and an increased demand for meat – are on the rise. It is clear that we must work together, the biggest investors and the brightest minds, to try to stop the pandemics of the future. Want to know more? Contact Ed Phillips or Abi Wye at Future Planet Capital.    This monthly digest is brought to you by Future Planet Capital.  Copyright © 2023 FPC, All rights reserved. This information is being communicated by Future Planet Capital (Ventures) Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.This email message and any files transmitted with it are intended solely for the addressee(s) and are considered privileged and confidential. If you have received this email in error please (i) delete it and all copies of it from your system and (ii) destroy any hard copies of it. You should not divulge, copy, forward, or use the contents, attachments, or information in any way. Any unauthorized use or disclosure may be unlawful. Future Planet Capital gives no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of email messages and accepts no responsibility for changes made after dispatch. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Future Thinking: The Next Generation Healthcare

*|MC_PREVIEW_TEXT|*

March 2023    |    View this email in your browser The Next Generation Healthcare Welcome to our latest edition of Future Thinking.  Last month the Future Planet Capital team were on-the-ground at Arab Health Week in Dubai. Executive Chairman Douglas Hansen-Luke was joined by Professor Adrian Hill, Director of University of Oxford’s Jenner Institute who helped create the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine. The pair made a stop at the UK’s Department for International Trade (DIT)’s pavilion which brought together UK & UAE stakeholders and partners to explore collaborations between the two countries’ healthcare systems.   The key focus of the pavilion was the ‘Health of Digital Health’. It focused on the role of digital technology in revolutionising the way healthcare is delivered and how to realise accessible, affordable, and sustainable care. As a proud investor of Vaccitech, we understand the importance of advancing scientific research in healthcare innovation to deliver long-term and life-saving impact. During the week we also had the pleasure of hosting a roundtable dinner on the future of vaccines in Dubai. Professor Hill and Lord Dominic Johnson of Lainston, Minister for Investment, were guests of honour among healthcare, technology and investment experts from the UK and the Middle East.   Together we explored the latest innovations that are advancing the development of vaccines, particularly focusing on the ongoing fight against Covid, malaria and MERS. What is clear is the important role of investment in the scientific advancement of solutions for such diseases – a role that can be fulfilled by private venture capital. Portfolio Spotlight - Vaccitech   When we came in as an investor of the University of Oxford’s spin-off biotechnology company, Vaccitech, the results of the COVID-19 vaccine trials were still unknown. This was back in 2020, when our understanding of the virus was limited.   At a time when Vaccitech was in need of fresh funding to fuel its growth, Future Planet Capital played a strategic role in reopening the investment round.   Today, Vaccitech is best known for the development of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. With over 3 billion doses delivered across more than 180 countries, the vaccine saved 6.3 million lives in the first year of its roll-out.   We've released the Wei Forward Report II Finding solutions to global issues requires a radical overhaul of the policy framework behind impact investing. It is vital that we act now. Lord Nat Wei and Douglas Hansen-Luke share their thoughts on how governments and industry can work together to unlock innovation.  Read the Wei Forward Report II here  Want to know more? Contact Ed Phillips or Abi Wye at Future Planet Capital.    This monthly digest is brought to you by Future Planet Capital.  Copyright © 2023 FPC, All rights reserved. This information is being communicated by Future Planet Capital (Ventures) Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.This email message and any files transmitted with it are intended solely for the addressee(s) and are considered privileged and confidential. If you have received this email in error please (i) delete it and all copies of it from your system and (ii) destroy any hard copies of it. You should not divulge, copy, forward, or use the contents, attachments, or information in any way. Any unauthorized use or disclosure may be unlawful. Future Planet Capital gives no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of email messages and accepts no responsibility for changes made after dispatch. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Lord Wei and Future Planet Capital call for global shake up of investment rules in new report

The Wei Forward Report II, which launches today, curates industry and academic insight from leading investors, regulators, policy makers and thought leaders, providing recommendations as to how best encourage capital allocation to impactful solutions for global issues. The research was led by the Conservative Peer, Lord Wei of Shoreditch, and his research was commissioned by Future Planet Capital, the impact-led global university venture capital firm.

The Wei Forward Report II is based on extensive research and interviews with a wide cross-section of industry participants and experts. Leading VC investors, pension funds, insurers, sovereign wealth funds, policy makers and academics have all contributed to the report, the second in a series of three.

“Our latest report takes the reforms set out by the government in Edinburgh even further and suggests ways in which investors, regulators and governments can upskill, collaborate and make impactful investments. A tougher funding environment means we have to raise our ambition higher than ever and demand more of investors.”

— Lord Wei of Shoreditch

The findings come after the UK government announced the Edinburgh Reforms, a substantial package of policy initiatives aimed at making the UK’s financial services sector more globally competitive, sustainable, and technologically advanced.

The Wei Forward Report backs the reforms, viewing them as a golden opportunity to bring down regulatory barriers to innovation and competitiveness in financial services, which are currently holding back institutional investors – such as pension funds and insurers – from pursuing fixing long-term problems with private capital.

By calling for a radical rethink of the impactful investing policy framework, the Wei Forward Report II provides a range of recommendations to accelerate the commercialisation of innovative science and technology-based solutions to environmental and social challenges. The recommendations seek to capitalise on Prime Minister’s Rishi Sunak’s recent announcement of a £20bn increase in R&D funding for innovations that solve challenges such as energy security and net zero.

“In this report, I very much hope that the solutions advocated by Lord Wei, and many contributing experts, can be quickly studied, evaluated, improved and implemented. Most importantly, this report is a call to action. Our industry, governments, scientists and savers must and need to act now.”

— Douglas Hansen-Luke, Executive Chairman of Future Planet Capital

Key recommendations from the Wei Forward Report II include: 

• A government stimulation of funding from pension funds and insurers, into investments that can solve short-term global issues such as the cost-of-living crisis.  The UK’s Local Government Pension Schemes, administering 77 pension funds and serving public servants, represent a powerful source of impact capital for governments determining their governance.  It is estimated that if the government matched this 10% impact pledge, it would generate £35 billion of positive impact. 

• A plan to drive impact investment by encouraging pension funds to require their investment committees to include trustees with a comprehensive and robust knowledge of impact investment. This will transform pension funds from the top down and drive them to always put impact at the heart of their investment strategies.

• A new educational programme centring around regulation within the impact space. Emulating the success of the Teach First programme, this proposed scheme will bring individuals with STEM backgrounds into regulatory technology roles.  

• Calling for Sovereign Wealth Funds to align their investment strategy with positive impact frameworks, by providing a mechanism that underwrites part of the impact-related income of pension funds and insurers. This would ensure that regulators can relax rules such as Solvency II for such purposes, without concerns that this would increase systemic risk.

• Encouraging insurers, who are acutely aware of the adverse effects climate change will have on their business models, to set aside profits that can be put into a joint industry-wide foundation established to invest into alternatives such as venture and PE for impact.

“Finance can be a huge force for good, driving impact that changes people’s lives and environments for better – but we need both government and finance to adapt if this impact is to be fully released. This is an important report with key recommendations that are well worth the consideration of institutional investors and government alike.”

— Pete Gladwell, Group Social Impact and Investment Director of Legal & General

The final Wei Forward Report will focus on impact measurement frameworks and will be released in 2023/early 2024. 

Future Thinking: The future of Fusion Energy looks bright

*|MC_PREVIEW_TEXT|*

February 2023    |    View this email in your browser The future of Fusion Energy looks bright Welcome to our latest edition of Future Thinking.  Last month, Future Planet Capital’s Alexandra Hay-Plumb and Lyle Pentith attended the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi. Here are some of their key insights:    ☢️ Nuclear Energy –The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation showcased the progress of the Barakah nuclear power plant which will supply up to 25% of electricity to the UAE, once all four reactors are online, and accelerate decarbonisation. In addition to traditional nuclear fission, the UAE is also considering new technologies such as Tokamak Energy - the record-breaking commercial fusion company based in Oxford.  Founded in 2009, Tokamak combines world-leading scientific, engineering and commercial capabilities to develop a faster and more cost-effective route to commercial fusion energy.    Water & Desalination – We heard about the development of the UAE’s Al Taweelah power and desalination complex, soon to be the world’s largest reverse osmosis desalination plant. Abu Dhabi also unveiled the Liwa Strategic Water Reserve - the world’s largest man-made reserve of high-quality desalinated water. A great week for technology advancing the blue economy - see also our investment into ocean carbon capture with Captura.   Diverse Portfolio –There was a keen focus on the pressing need for investment in multiple pathways for reducing emissions. This was demonstrated by the diverse array of renewable and alternative energies featured during the Summit, including nuclear energy, solar PV and green hydrogen, to name a few - many of which are receiving substantial investment in the region.   Just Transition – The UAE has declared 2023 as the Year of Sustainability. This has been exemplified by the announcement of the winners of the 2023 Zayed Sustainability Prize, many of whom are using new technology to support marginalised communities across the globe. One such notable winner was LEDARS Bangladesh, who integrate water resource management models to solve water scarcity issues in disaster-prone areas.    It was a pleasure to have attended and we’re looking forward to continued progress and investment in the region in innovative and sustainable energy technology. We’ll be back for more at #COP28! The role that nuclear energy can play in reaching net zero is hugely underestimated. It is safe, reliable and scalable.  It was great to hear from some of our recent roundtable event attendees on this topic, including Wen-Yu Weng, Principal Consultant of Energy and Utilities Practice at PA Consulting, Professor Iain Macdonald of ArtEZ University of the Arts and Oliver Jordan, Leader, Future Business at Equinor. We’re thrilled to welcome Alexandra Hay-Plumb to Future Planet Capital as our Global Head of Business Development.    From her previous role as Chief Partnerships Officer at Generation, Alex brings with her a successful track record and significant expertise in building a portfolio of innovative relationships and growing company networks. Her experience in forming pioneering partnerships to ensure equitable access to economic opportunities for all, aligns with our values of being an impact-led venture capital organisation aiming to resolve the world’s greatest challenges.  Don't hesitate to get in touch if you'd like to connect with Alex or any of the FPC Team.    Welcome to the team, Alex. Want to know more? Contact Ed Phillips or Abi Wye at Future Planet Capital.    This monthly digest is brought to you by Future Planet Capital.  Copyright © 2023 FPC, All rights reserved. This information is being communicated by Future Planet Capital (Ventures) Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.This email message and any files transmitted with it are intended solely for the addressee(s) and are considered privileged and confidential. If you have received this email in error please (i) delete it and all copies of it from your system and (ii) destroy any hard copies of it. You should not divulge, copy, forward, or use the contents, attachments, or information in any way. Any unauthorized use or disclosure may be unlawful. Future Planet Capital gives no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of email messages and accepts no responsibility for changes made after dispatch. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.